I agree that core strength is going to be important as perhaps I am putting too much pressure on my hands when leaning forward on the bars.

I fully understand what everyone says about the flexibility of hand positions with drop bars, and I probably am going to have to put in a few longer rides of 40 to 50 miles and more to fully appreciate the benefits.

It's still early days in my efforts to increase the variety of the types of riding I do to include road bikes, and perhaps I was expecting too much too soon, especially as I've never experienced discomfort on long rides with flat bars where I can use at least three different hand positions.